Queue-Based Print Job Routing for WIP Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-site print production environments, high variability in print job types and sizes makes it difficult to maintain a consistent work in progress (WIP) level, as existing methods like Conwip and JIT are not directly applicable, leading to inefficiencies and quality issues.
Innovation Solution
A system for queue-based routing of print jobs that uses a computing device with a scheduling queue and processor to identify similar print jobs based on type and size, routing them to the same print production environment to regulate job variability and maintain a constant WIP level, employing a similarity metric for optimal routing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If Conwip or JIT production methods are applied, then WIP level is controlled and production efficiency is improved, but these methods cannot be directly applied in high variety job environments where each job may be unique
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments print jobs into groups based on similarity characteristics (job type, size, complexity) and routes each group to appropriate production environments. This segmentation allows Conwip/JIT principles to be applied within homogeneous job groups while maintaining overall system adaptability to high variety environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of job routing from individual unique routing to similarity-based grouping routing. By defining similarity metrics and grouping jobs with comparable parameters together, the system enables WIP control methods to work effectively in high variety environments where jobs would otherwise be too diverse for traditional approaches.
2Productivity
If print jobs are routed individually without similarity consideration, then job-specific optimization is possible, but WIP level becomes unstable and production halts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system groups similar print jobs together based on defined similarity criteria (job type, size, complexity) and routes them as cohorts to the same production environment. This homogeneity within job groups enables stable WIP levels and continuous production, as jobs with comparable resource requirements are processed together rather than individually.
3Stability of the object's composition
If similarity-based routing is implemented, then job variability is minimized and WIP level is stabilized, but system complexity increases due to similarity metric calculation
Solution Approach 1:
The system manages complexity by defining a limited set of key similarity parameters (job type, size, complexity metrics) rather than analyzing all possible job characteristics. This parameter selection approach stabilizes WIP levels while keeping the routing system computationally manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for performing queue-based routing of print jobs in one or more print production environments includes a computing device having a processor, and a computer-readable storage medium in communication with the computing device. The computing device will receive print jobs from one or more client computing devices, and the computing device will store the received print jobs in a scheduling queue. When the computing device determines that a released print job has been released by a print production environment, it will determine a similarity metric for a plurality of print jobs in the scheduling queen, identify the print job having the highest similarity metric, and route the identified print job to the print production environment for processing.